Waking Up

by Renee Dyer

  I lose myself in thought as I’m walking back onto the road Tucker’s staying. A SUV pulls onto it and I’m glad for the local sport shirt and hat I bought and glasses I’m hiding behind. I keep my face pointed at the road as I walk. If Tucker is in that vehicle, he won’t recognize me like this. Peering out the corner of my eye, I watch as it pulls into the driveway where I need to go. I’m glad again that I thought ahead and parked my car a few roads away. I watch as a short, slim blonde gets out of the driver’s side. I can’t see her face, but I can tell she’s talking to someone. I don’t want to lift my face, don’t want them to know I’m watching.

  The passenger door opens. I hear more than see it. I wait. Tucker walks around the back of the SUV. The blonde opens the back. He runs his hand over her arm and she smiles at him. He leans down and kisses her before grabbing a cooler from her car. They walk into the house talking, laughing, and smiling the whole way. Even at this distance, it’s obvious that Tucker is smitten with the woman.

  What the fuck? That dirty, rotten, no good son of a bitch. Here he was, making me feel like a lousy whore for what happened with Grant, when all along he had this little suburbia redneck bitch he was cheating on me with. Scouting for sites for Eddie my ass. He had this little tart the whole time. This is why he could never fully give himself to me.

  Anger boils through every part of my body and I want to grab him by his balls and squeeze. How dare he!

  I’m walking up the road, planning to head straight to the front door and ring the doorbell when another car pulls on the road. Is that? It can’t be. What the hell is going on?

  I watch as a tall, gorgeous, brown haired man unfolds himself from a black Impala. His black t-shirt clings to his muscular chest and his jeans are riding low on his lean hips. I have the sudden urge to walk over and run my hand through his tousled hair and find out what the writing on his t-shirt says, see what color his eyes are. I can see he has chiseled facial features from here, but can’t see them exactly. I do know I want to. He isn’t who I thought he was, but I sure would like to know who he is. Stunned by the need to know this stranger, my anger for Tucker falls by the wayside. Funny how a moment ago I was ready to rip Tucker limb from limb, my Latina temper getting the best of me. Now, I’m all about this man candy across the street who’s stepped out of one of the sexiest cars I’ve ever seen and has my undercarriage in need of a serious tune up.

  Tucker, who?

  Chapter Forty Three

  Tucker

  I don’t know what possessed me to kiss Adriana before grabbing the cooler from the car. Maybe it was opening up to her about Mikos today or how she held my hand in front of her friends, I don’t know, but she didn’t stop me. I have to watch myself because I’m falling fast and I have no idea where her head is.

  “You may want to stop before your face freezes that way,” Adriana teases. I look up. I hadn’t realized I’m still standing in the middle of the kitchen holding the cooler, smiling. I walk toward her, put the cooler at her feet, and give her another quick kiss.

  When I pull away, she’s blushing. It’s adorable and sexy. I love that she feels inexperienced and shy. That the thoughts I might have in my head make her squirm. If she only knew half of them they would make her quake in my presence.

  I try to stop it, but a bigger smile breaks out across my face. She’s watching me and I’m watching her. Emotions run across her face for me to see like I’m watching a movie—curiosity, amusement, fear, and most definitely arousal. I hear her breathing pick up a little, see her nipples pebbling through the thin layers covering her. I want to reach out and flick them, but I’m enjoying the mental mind-fuck I’m giving her, enjoying the sensation of her thinking of what I’ll do to her. Her tongue darts out to lick across her bottom lip and as much as I want to close the distance between us, to pull her tongue into my mouth, I stay put. I’m torturing myself as well, but when I take her, and I will take her, I want there to be no doubt in her head who’s inside her.

  One finger, just one, I run over the top of her hand to her wrist. Her breath hitches. Yeah, I have her attention now. She can feel…

  The slamming of the door startles us both. “Where’s my bitch at?” a male’s voice booms through the house. All breath leaves my lungs. Who the fuck is that? And why is he talking so disrespectfully to my Adriana?

  No, not mine. Not. Mine! She’s been lying to me. She’s had a man this whole time and he’s here.

  “In here, asshole,” she laughs back.

  What the hell is going on? He just walked into her house. He didn’t knock. He called her a bitch. The urge to kill washes over me and I see red. I’m trying to shake it off before I lose it and do something stupid, something I’ll regret and can’t come back from. But the urge to break this guy’s nose and jam his teeth down his throat is growing stronger by the second. I need to get away before the red haze takes over.

  Before I have a chance to calm down or walk away, the douche bag has my girl in his arms. I’m watching a man close to my size hug my Adriana and she’s hugging him back with a smile on her face.

  Not. My. Girl. Dammit!

  The son of a bitch picks her up and spins her in a circle, keeping her wrapped in a bear hug, and I think I’m going to be sick. He has a grin on his face, a grin I can understand because she makes me– made me, happy like that until a few minutes ago. Adriana is giggling like a school girl. The blood is rushing to my head, forcing me to grab at the couch before I launch myself at this motherfucker. I try breathing deeply in through my nose and out through my mouth, praying to God I can get my shit under control. I can feel my nostrils flaring, imagine I look like a raging bull. I feel like passing out. My heart’s beating fast and I’m sweating and all I can do is focus on the asshat hugging the woman I want.

  Why do his eyes seem so familiar?

  “Hey,” fuckface says, staring at me, “you look like the dude from mom’s movies.” Is he really talking to me while he has his arm around her? Does he not realize I’m about to rip it off and beat him with it?

  “That’s because he is, A. This is…”

  “Holy shit, sis, are you dating a movie star?”

  “No, I’m not dating a movie star.”

  “No way! Are you fucking a movie star?”

  “Adrian Peter Bennett, no I am not fucking Tucker. His name is Tucker Stavros, by the way, and let me tell you something, brother. Just because you are six minutes older than me doesn’t mean I won’t put you over my knee and paddle your ass for being so rude. Now, come properly meet my company, asshole.” Her hands are on her hips and she’s trying to be mean, but the smile on her face gives away how much she adores her brother. Brother. Ahh shit. I wanted to kill her brother.

  Adrian chuckles and extends his hand. “Hey there. I’m asshole. I mean, Adrian. Adri’s twin brother. Nice to meet you.”

  I quickly shake his hand, feeling horrible for wanting to break it, beat him with it, and do any number of other horrific things to him a few minutes earlier. I understand the eyes and why they’re familiar now. “Hey. Movie star. I mean, Tucker. Nice to meet you, too.”

  Crisis avoided.

  Chapter Forty Four

  Adrian

  It’s obvious to me the movie star is jonesing for my sister and she wants him just as bad. The sparks flying through the air might set this place on fire. The boy in me that refuses to grow up wants to embarrass Adri and start singing, “Adri and Tucker sitting in a tree, K-I-S-S-I-N-G,” but I’m kind of fascinated watching her try to hide from me that she has the hots for this guy. From me? We were in mom’s gut together and she thinks I wouldn’t catch the glimpses, her blushing cheeks, how she keeps sitting on her hands. I know her nervous habits and I remember how she acted all those years she had a crush on Alex when they were “just friends”.

  “What’s been keeping you away so long, A? I’m used to Katie being distant, but not you.”

  I’m not ready to unveil her present yet. I’m not sure how she’ll take it
and I’ve been enjoying the little cat and mouse game her and Mr. Bright Lights are playing. It’s the first time I’ve seen my baby sister smile, really smile, in so long. I’m afraid to ruin that.

  “Been working on a project. You know how I can get.”

  She’s eying me, I wonder if she sees that I’m not telling her the entire truth. I should just come out with it, get it out of the way. But, fear lodges the words in my throat.

  “So, whatcha been working on?”

  Fuck! Now I have to tell her. “That’s why I’m here, actually.” She scrunches her nose up like she’s done since we were kids when she doesn’t understand what someone’s saying to her. “I brought my project to show you, for you,” I correct myself.

  This is so much harder than I thought it was going to be. Dammit, Alex. You were supposed to be the one doing this. You were supposed to give this to her. It’s going to send her into a fucking tailspin when I do this.

  “You’re not making sense,” she says, reaching out and laying her hand on top of mine. Typical, Adri. Always comforting everyone else.

  With shaking nerves and a pit in my stomach that won’t go away, I force the words out. “Before the accident, Alex asked me to do something for him.” I watch her eyes go wide and Tucker go stiff beside her. “There was a gift he wanted to give you for your next birthday. Obviously that birthday has come and gone. It took me a while to decide if I should still do it or not, but, in my heart, I knew it’s what Alex would want. I finished it yesterday and decided to bring it here today.”

  Her face has gone pale and I think she’s shaking a little. I want to hold her like I did our whole lives, but I’m afraid what it will do to her in this moment. I’m not sure if she can handle looking weak in front of Tucker.

  “Wh-what’s the gift?” she whispers.

  “Words can’t tell you. I need to show you. Standing, I grab her hand and lead her to her door. “Do you want shoes?” She shakes her head no and I can tell she’s struggling to keep her emotions in check. Tucker is watching me. It’s clear he doesn’t know if he should follow. I shake my head yes because I think she should have as much support as possible. He stands quickly and I instantly respect him.

  Opening the door, I keep my body between Adri and her gift. I want her to see it in all its glory. I’m proud of this baby, all the hours of work I put into her. She’s nothing short of beautiful. I know this gift has the potential to cripple her, send her spiraling back into despair, but I’m hoping it will remind her to let her hair down and have fun. That’s what Alex wanted when he thought of this gift.

  “You ready to see it?” I ask her.

  “You need to get it from your car,” she replies.

  “Not exactly,” I say pulling her from behind me to show her a shiny, black 1967 Chevy Impala, an exact replica of the car from her favorite TV show. I hear a small cry escape her throat, see her hand fly to her chest. When I look at her, tears are pouring down her cheeks.

  Oh shit!

  I glance back at Tucker who looks like he’s going to use my head for batting practice. Really respect this dude, but this is my baby sis and he needs to back the fuck off. “Give us a few minutes, please?” I ask.

  He doesn’t appear to like it, but he nods and walks back inside. I almost laugh when I see that he stands in the doorway watching us from the window, arms crossed over his chest. Adri’s protector.

  Adri. She hasn’t moved. Her hand is clenched at her chest and I can hear small sobs coming from her now. This is what I was worried about.

  Chapter Forty Five

  Adriana

  Oh God! An Impala. He always told me one day he’d get me my dream car, just like my daddy used to have and just like Dean drives.

  My heart is aching, so much pain reverberating through my body I swear my chest is going to cave in on itself. Each breath feels like stones are being piled on my chest, stealing my breath from me. I’m struggling to stay upright, not fall to my knees and beg God to take me now. Bring me to Alex.

  Alex. The man who loved me so much he’s sending me gifts from heaven.

  Alex, you’re supposed to be here to drive around the block with me. To make Mick jealous because I have the Supernatural car and she doesn’t just like we talked about, but you’re not. Here you are, reaching out to me still, reminding me how much you love me. You love me. I’m so sorry. I’m a terrible wife. I forgot how much you love me Alex. I started to move on. That’s over now. I get what this car means. It’s a reminder of our life, our talks. I love you, too, baby. I’m sorry I lost my way. I’ll ask Tucker to leave in the morning. It’s just you and me, forever and always—like we promised each other.

  “Adri, do you want me to take the car back to my shop?”

  “Huh? Wh-why do you want to take Alex’s gift away?” I’m confused and hurt that Adrian wants to take this piece of Alex that he brought me.

  “Baby girl, you’ve been standing there for forty five minutes crying, not answering me. You were starting to scare me.”

  “Forty five minutes? What are you talking about, A? We just walked out here.” Didn’t we? Adrian showed me the car and I started thinking of Alex, but it was only a few minutes.

  “Adri, you went comatose on me. I thought I was going to have to take you to the hospital. Tucker is freaking out because I told him to let me handle this and made him stay inside. Think he wants to beat my ass.”

  “Tucker?” I’m confused as to why he’s talking to me about Tucker when he should be telling me about Alex’s present. I want to hear about Alex.

  He looks at me and I can’t tell what the emotion is on his face, but I think it’s anger. I’m not sure because Adrian’s never been angry with me before. Sure, we’ve had sibling spats, but he’s never been truly angry. His eyes darken and his lips purse. I swear I can see his muscles tense. “Hell No, Adri! You do not get to do this again! I’m not standing by and watching you be a fucking zombie again, do you hear me? You don’t get to check out on me and break my heart again.” Tears start spilling onto his cheeks.

  “A?”

  “NO! You listen. I have stayed silent since Alex died.” I flinch at the word. It still sounds so harsh. “I’ve let you mourn however you needed to because I thought at some point you’d wake up, you’d come back to life, but you didn’t. So, I made good on my promise to Alex and found that car and restored it for you. I was hoping that would be the wakeup call you needed. But, when I got here, I found that you already got your wake up call. And I’m thrilled for you, sis.”

  “Excuse me,” I spit at him. “What the hell is that supposed to mean?”

  “I see the way you are with Tucker. How you blush. Sitting on your hands. Not wanting me to see you look at him. There’s only been one other guy in your life you acted that way around.”

  “STOP! Just stop. I’m sending him away. This gift,” I motion to the Impala, “reminded me why Tucker shouldn’t be here. I love Alex. He’s my husband. This car was his way of telling me how much he loves me. I need to show him I still love him, too.”

  I need my brother to understand, but he’s watching me like I’ve lost my mind. How can I get him to understand that I have to do this? “I made vows with Alex. We promised each other forever and always. I promised him forever and always, Adrian. I can’t go back on that now just because he’s not here.”

  “You also promised him till death do you part, baby sister. I’m sorry, Adri, but that vow has come and gone.” His voice is quieter now, gentle. “I loved Alex, too. He was my friend. I considered him my brother and one thing I know about him is he would want you to be happy. He would want you to move on and find love again. And, I also know, he would like and respect Tucker.”

  My face flies up to meet my brother’s eyes. Compassion and love greet me. He’s right. Oh God, he’s right. Alex would want all of that for me, but knowing that doesn’t make it easy to accept. Adrian opens his arms and I fall into them, both of us letting our tears fall. Mine fall for the confusion o
ver my life. It wasn’t supposed to be this way. I was supposed to be happy, Alex by my side, kids running around. Not twenty-five years old and struggling to find a reason to get out of bed every day.

  Why does fate hate me so much?

  Adrian and I pull ourselves together enough that he can show me the car. It’s a thing of pure beauty. Several times I look to the sky and silently thank Alex for my black beauty. I can’t wait to drive her by Mick’s house. I wish my dad were here to see it.

  A and I talk about the baby blue one our dad had when we were kids and how much we loved when he drove us to school in it. We thought we were so cool getting dropped off in that car even though the other kids had no idea what it was. I think that car is what started my brother’s love for restoring old cars.

  Tucker was a presence I couldn’t shake the whole time I checked out the car. I could feel his stare, his eyes boring holes into my back. I tried to ignore him, have this time be about Alex, but it felt like he was touching me his stare was so intense. I finally gave in, turned around to see him standing in the doorway, blue eyes intently watching my every move. Normally, I’d be creeped out by this kind of attention, but the concern on his face was my undoing. Waving him out, I stood back and watched Adrian clap Tucker on the back before he showed him the car. They did the typical guy thing, talking shop, engine specs, how fast the car could go in so many seconds. It was laughable seeing the excitement pour off them, how they talked over each other. Apparently Tucker has a love for old cars, too.

  Chapter Forty Six

  Victoria

  Giving my hair one last fluff and applying my favorite lipstick, I smile at my image in the mirror. After seeing Tucker with the blonde, I decided my best payback was to ruffle some feathers. Best way to do that is to make her feel insecure. No one knows how to mess with a woman like another woman. I run my hands down my frame, happy with how my green satin top hugs tight to my slim waist, cuts low showing ample cleavage, and my ass hugging shorts paired with stilettos makes my caramel legs appear to go on for miles. Let’s see how little Ms. Backwoods deals with me.